Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-21
THE PETITION.
At the request Of Mr.. ColQuitt the petition was

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THE PETITION.
At the request Of Mr.. Colquitt the petition was
read.
The petitioners state that they sorrowfully sub
yes IaGss sea IN tine % o. sher
the purity, the safety and the moral interests and
rights OF the people, and in direct violation Of
permitting and protecting gambling halls, pooling
rooms and drinking establishments, as well as
dens OF prostitution, immortality and vice. in car.
sections OF the city; that the Commissioners, in
their free and unlimited distribution Of grog
shop, saloon and liquor licenses have
unprecedented extent being more than 100 in ex-
cess OF any other period in the history of the Dis
establishment to ' about every 14o persons;
ing test the great number of known
other dens Of vice. there is an array facts appa
ing to contemplate, and when to this is added the
Irnes charge resting upon facts within the
dens OF wickedness and vice nave liquor licenses
and all OF them are known, protected and
the Commissioners, which Your petit
TONERS suggest would be terrible enough,
but by the aggressive authority and protection OF
in the extreme, and when it is further added that
all Of the licenses are granted by the Commission
ers, and many OF them in direct violation or law,
as we believe and against the reports and protests
OF the police and OF the residents, Case is pre-
presented, as 1t seems TO your petitioners demand
ing, in the interests OF humanity and common de-
cency, a most thorough and careful investigation.
And when it is further considered that large num-
bers OF the houses OF prostitution, and known to
past year been permitted to deposit 800 with the
District Commissioners, or with the proper officers
by their direction and then permitted 70 sell all
kinds OF liquor without ever obtaining
licenses because it was claimed TO be
essential to the successful persecution OF
their most nefariOus and degrading business
ad hy1f Hnl. tn hn hal pf
OF which this community may justly complain,
Recently a member OF the police force was d.
rscted TO gather up the outstanding receipts for
the aforementioned deposits, and the commits
soners, in direct violation oil law, as your Peti-
TONERS believe, have granted liquor licenses TO
many of these houses OF prostitution and vice.
In order, the petition continues 10 be explicit in
their charges of direct violation OF law, certain
alleged facts are submitted. They are that i've
restaurants or liquor saloons have been licensed
On street, between LIST and I'd soul Invest, in di-
rect violation OF law, as not only did the applicants
not have the signatures OF majority of heignbor-
ing residents, but the major ana lieutenant OF pO-
lice protested against such licenses
1t is charged That the law requiring saloons to
be closed sunday and after midnight is violated
and that though the fact or this violation Is
known the licenses OF the offenders are not re-
voked.
missioners 10 satisfy themselves OF the good moral
character OF the applicant before granting license
Is Systematically ignored and violated and that
licenses are granted to notorious houses or prOstt
tuition. A list OF such houses having licenses is
given.
1t is charged that the Commissioners allow the
same party TO run several saloons under one and
the same license.
1t is charged that liquor saloons are licensed
within 400 feet OF the High school, the Wallach,
Peabody and other public schools, in violation OF
Law. AlSO that the law has been violated in
granting licenses to men charged with crimes and
cases OF that kind are given, including names and
locations
It is charged that the house No. 1922 Pennsyl-
vania avenue, ''used for the gambling schemes OF
commissioners; also that the president OF the
Liquor Dealers association is a bOndsman Of one OF
the Commissioners.
The petitioners in conclusion ask that q thor
ough Investigation be ordered.
Mr.. Hawley suggested that some instructions
should accompany charges SO grave; but Mr.. Col
quit replied that he was willing to leave the SUBJ
1ect to the sense and judgment Of the District
committee, to which it was referred.
Mr. Ingalls,, chairman OF the District committee,
said that the allegations presented In the petition
had long engaged the attention OF the committee.
There was no doubt that there was a very great
violation not only OF law but OF moral and social
order in connection with these transactions Lii
cenSeS had been granted in violation OF statutory
provisions. But In order that the Senate and the
country might understand that the District CON-
mlttee had neither been ObyiouS nor neglectful of
these matters he felt it his duty to call attention
to the fact that on February 4, 1885, he had intro
duced q bill regulating the sale or distilled and
fermented liquors in the District, and that on the
18th OF the same month that bill had been reported
6y the COMMITTEES ana nad subsequently b passed
committee of the House. If the other branch of
Congress had been as diligent as the Senate had
BEEN great cause OF complaint tas set forth In
the petfttOn) would have been removed.
Mr.. COlquitt presented a memorial from minis
tiers Of the gospel here endorsing the wOmenS
petition, and MI. Riddeberger presented petition
from Virginia to the same end. All were referred
to the District committee
The petition WAS signed by Mrs. Sarah ID.
La Fetra, president: Miss Lizzie keSSler, CORE
spending secretary, and a number OF other ladies.
During the reading OF the petition Commission
ers Webb and Wheatley occupied seats on the fioor
Of the Senate, and listened 10 the charges made
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